Family Celebrates Baby’s Survival After Heart Surgery at Birth

A family faced a life-altering decision when their unborn baby was diagnosed with a severe heart condition requiring immediate intervention after birth. Bilal and Farah, from Worsley, welcomed their son Zinedine, who underwent open-heart surgery just two weeks after his birth. He was diagnosed with a hypoplastic aortic arch, a congenital defect that obstructs blood flow from a major artery.

The couple received this distressing news during a routine anomaly scan at St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester in March 2023. During the 20-week scan, they were informed of Zinedine’s critical condition and presented with two choices: terminate the pregnancy or proceed with a high-risk surgery shortly after birth. Despite the overwhelming pressure, Bilal and Farah chose to continue the pregnancy, hoping for a positive outcome.

Over the following months, the couple attended multiple scans to monitor Zinedine’s progress. Farah was hospitalized and placed in the intensive care unit as they approached the delivery date. At birth, Zinedine was immediately connected to ventilators and transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). He remained there for two weeks to gain enough strength for the life-saving surgery.

Bilal recounted the initial moments of uncertainty, stating, “Everything looked to be fine at first, until our 20-week anomaly scan… We were referred to fetal medicine, and at that point you do start to worry.” He described how the situation escalated: “We were told that he had hypoplastic aortic arch… meaning he could pass away within 24 hours if it wasn’t treated.”

As further scans revealed additional complications, including a hole in Zinedine’s heart, the urgency for surgical intervention increased. When he reached two weeks old, Zinedine was transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool for specialized care. Within a day, he underwent an extensive nine-hour open-heart surgery.

Bilal expressed the emotional turmoil surrounding the surgery decision, saying, “Surgery was the only way… and it comes with a huge risk. You don’t know what to do with yourself in that moment. You are relying on everyone else; the doctors, nurses, and midwives to do what’s needed to keep your baby alive.”

The surgery was ultimately successful, and Zinedine remained in the hospital for an additional two weeks to recover. Despite a subsequent procedure for a collapsed lung, Zinedine has shown remarkable improvement. Four months later, he is described as a “happy and healthy” baby, now thriving at home with his family. Bilal noted, “He started growing and responding well… By the time we left the hospital, he was a strong, happy and healthy baby.”

Throughout this challenging journey, Bilal and Farah received support from the charity Tiny Tickers, which focuses on improving early detection and care for infants with serious heart conditions. The organization provided essential resources, connecting them with other families in similar situations. Bilal emphasized the value of this support, stating, “They made it all easier for us to digest and create that feeling that you aren’t alone.”

In a bid to give back, Bilal is now preparing for an eight-day fundraising road trip with the grassroots movement Cheap Thrills, which raises money for charities through budget car trips. Founded in 2017, the initiative has raised over £20,000 for various causes. Bilal’s route will take him through some of Wales’s most scenic landscapes, with funds collected per mile driven.

“This isn’t just another road trip — it’s personal,” Bilal remarked. “Tiny Tickers has been there for our family every step of the way. Now we want to give back and help other babies get the best possible start in life.” Through their efforts, Bilal and Farah hope to raise awareness and support for families navigating similar challenges, ensuring that no one faces such an ordeal alone.